South Africa Tour – Mandela’s Legacy

Nelson Mandela helped define South Africa as model multi-racial democracy. Our South Africa Tour examines his legacy, and the challenges facing the nation today. Led by Peter Sullivan, former editor of The Star newspaper.

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Tour Itinerary

Decades on from the end of Apartheid, South Africa is an amazing success story. It remains a multi-racial democracy and a regional power. But now the party that Nelson Mandela brought to power and fought so hard for change is struggling to meet the needs of its own supporters. Ordinary South Africans lack basic services, unemployment is high, and leading ANC members stand accused of corruption.

On our South Africa Tour: Mandela’s Legacy, first-rate speakers and guests brief us on the latest issues affecting the country, and ordinary South Africans of all backgrounds give their perspective, as we ask if the country can keep Mandela’s dream of a united, prosperous and democratic South Africa alive.

Highlights of the South Africa Tour include:

- Analysis of rural development, and home visits - Tour of Soweto new and old - Visit to an SA mine – one of the key sectors of the economy - Visit to The South African Stock Exchange - Analysis of South Africa’s key problems from infrastructure to unemployment - Stays in some of South Africa’s best hotels, and meals offering the huge range of South African cuisine

Like all our tours the itinerary is focused on current affairs. Events on the ground may change and the final schedule may be adjusted accordingly.

Day One – Ballito

Welcome dinner. An introduction to the week ahead; local newspaper editors give an overview of where South Africa stands today. Overnight Ballito

Day Two – Lebombo Mountains & Dundee

Travel through rural KwaZulu Natal (KZN) and visit a village. We hear about education, local services and healthcare and the demands on them in the new South Africa. We visit a missionary hospital that has been at the centre of a successful battle against HIV and TB. Later in Dundee with meet with local ANC leaders; Jacob Zuma’s infamous home is not far from here. Overnight Dundee

Day Three – Dundee, Battlefields, Johannesburg

We visit Rorke’s Drift, a key site of the Anglo Zulu wars. A key point in British colonial history, but also in Zulu culture and identity. Picnic lunch before driving north to Johannesburg. Overnight Johannesburg

Day Four – Johannesburg, Soweto

Early breakfast with the Official Opposition leader in Johannesburg, a city whose annual budget exceeds that of Botswana, Mozambique and Angola combined. Next we visit the Apartheid Museum that illustrates the rise and fall of South Africa’s era of segregation and oppression. After lunch we drive to Soweto where much has changed in the last 20 years. We look at the range of contrasts, from smart middle class homes and new housing programs to makeshift camps. We also stop by a local “Shebeen,” or Soweto bar. Overnight Johannesburg

Day Five – Johannesburg

In the morning we get privileged access of the Constitutional Court building with its politically relevant art works. Court clerks brief us on the Court’s current political and judicial role, and provide insight into South Africa’s sweeping and ambitious constitution. Possible tour of Old Fort Prison in the grounds (time permitting) and home for many political prisoners for years. Lunch at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange for a high level overview of the economy and business. Later we have briefings with members of Johannesburg’s leading think tanks on the state of politics and the economy. Overnight Johannesburg

Day Six – to Cape Town

Check out of our hotel and visit to a local school – education is the centre of a fierce political debate with criticism of falling standards, and demands for free university education. Depart for Johannesburg airport and an afternoon flight to Cape Town; we will advise you on the best flight to suit the itinerary. After checking in you have a free evening to explore the downtown area. Overnight Cape Town

Day Seven – Cape Town

A tour of Parliament buildings, home to the new and former federal parliaments as well as the Cape assembly. Peter Sullivan recounts some of the key moments in recent history. We visit the District 6 museum and meet with a former resident. Cape coloureds were forcibly removed from this area in the 60s and out to the sprawling Cape Flats, followed by coffee at the Truth Cafe. We learn about the effects of apartheid. Overnight Cape Town

Day Eight – Hout Bay

Visit the remarkable township on the slopes of Table Mountain at Hout Bay, speak to local activists, see local industry. Lunch is fish and chips on the rocks of Hout Bay, under Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most beautiful in the world. Dinner with veteran MP, radio personality, diplomat and commentator who will answer all our questions. Overnight Cape Town

Day Nine – Stellenbosch, Cape Town

A first-hand look at how the wine industry is doing and a look at tourism’s significant contribution to the SA economy. Lunch on a wine farm with stunning views – an excellent way to wind up our tour, before heading back to Cape Town. Farewell dinner with a highly respected former Constitutional Court judge and Deputy Chief Justice. Overnight Cape Town

Day Ten – Tours Ends

Final Day – Breakfast and departure for airport

If you would like to book a tour please click here to fill in our booking form. Or call us on 0843 289 2349 or email us at [email protected] to find out more.

Essential Information

If you would like to book your South Africa Tour please click here to fill in our booking form. Or call us on 0843 289 2349 or email us at [email protected] to find out more.

To confirm your booking you need to send a non-refundable deposit of 15% of the total holiday cost or £250 per person (whichever is the greater) made payable to Political Tours Limited.

If you are booking less than 8 weeks prior to departure the full cost of the tour is payable.

If you would like to contact Political Tours’ Director, Nicholas Wood, he can be reached by email at [email protected] or by mobile phone on +44 7855 266 151.

What is included in the South African Tour?

The price includes accommodation in 3-4 star hotels in South Africa as well as all meals during the visit. All the accommodation includes private bathrooms.

Please be aware that Political Tours is a land-only tour operator. Our clients travel from many countries and the costs of flights to and from the destination, as well as any internal flights needed, are not included in the price.

How to reach South Africa

There are regular daily flights or bi-weekly flights between Johannesburg International Airport (OR Tambo Airport) and most countries. Most international airlines operate along this route. There are also less frequent direct flights to both Cape Town International Airport and King Shaka International Airport, north of Durban. There are regular daily flights within South Africa between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban on a number of airlines.

Climate & Clothing Suggestions

South Africa has hot summers (over 25C) and mild winters. There is occasional rainfall during the summer in the Highveld/ Johannesburg area and in Natal, whereas the Cape has winter rainfall. Thunderstorms in the late afternoon are common in Johannesburg in the summer months. Temperatures can reach the low 30’s, and cool clothing and layering is suggested.

Passports, Visa & Health

All clients are personally responsible for ensuring that they have a valid passport, relevant visa's and conform to the health regulations required by the country's that will be visited during the tour.

Advice on health requirements may be obtained from your GP, or alternatively from the Department of Health leaflet Advice on Health for Travelers, or the Department of Health in the UK. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC or NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

Personal Safety

South Africa has experienced an increase in crime, and it is advised to be vigilant and not carry large amounts of money, visible jewellery or electronic equipment.

For further information check the Foreign Office’s travel advice website before departure.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa

Insurance

Appropriate and adequate travel insurance is essential and is a condition of travelling with us. Your policy must include comprehensive medical cover including the cost of evacuation and repatriation from the remote destinations included in your tour in the event of illness or accident in addition to other medical requirements.

Please provide us with confirmation of the name of your insurance company, the policy number and the insurers’ emergency contact telephone number for use in a medical emergency no later than 8 weeks prior to the tour departure. If you fail to do so, we are entitled to cancel your booking and apply the cancellation charges shown below.

Hazards Inherent in Our Tours

As a tour company that specialises in politics and international affairs we have specific conditions that concern the risks inherent in some of our tours.

It is in the nature of some of the destinations, issues and areas we cover that standards of health and safety will not be the same as in the UK and may often be lower.

It is in the nature of the itineraries we offer that the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office may have issued advice against all travel or all but essential travel in relation to the country or parts of the country we are intending to visit prior to confirmation of your booking. Where the FCO issues such advice, we may, as a result, cancel your tour or make changes so as to avoid the area concerned (see clauses 10 and 12 of our Terms and Booking Conditions). Alternatively, we may ask you to sign a form confirming you wish to proceed with the tour notwithstanding the FCO advice.

Our Cancellation Charges

If you feel you need to cancel a tour before departure we reserve the right to make the following charges.

Period before departure within which written notification of cancellation is received by us, and charges per person cancelling.

Up to 56 days Deposit

55 to 28 days 50%

27 to 15 days 75%

14 days or less 100%

On receipt of your booking form and deposit we will confirm your booking in writing, then approximately 8 weeks before departure we shall send you further information relevant to your tour together with a final invoice.

Please pay the invoice within 10 days of the invoice date otherwise we reserve the right to treat the booking as cancelled and apply the cancellation conditions as set out below. Your travel documents are dispatched about 7/10 days before the tour departs.

Websites

Center for Development and Enterprise (www.cde.org.za), CDE has an excellent series of policy papers and also has useful reading lists for those wanting a more in depth or academic assessment of economics and development in South Africa.